Michael Schumacher helmet tribute handed to "incredibly honoured" Lewis Hamilton

Eifel Grand Prix

Michael Schumacher helmet tribute handed to "incredibly honoured" Hamilton

Hamilton equalled Schumacher's record of 91 wins at the Nürburgring

Ewan Gale

Sunday 11 October 2020 16:21 Updated: 16:44

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Lewis Hamilton described equalling Michael Schumacher's record of 91 grand prix victories as an "incredible honour" after taking victory at the Eifel Grand Prix.

Hamilton led home Max Verstappen at the Nürburgring to extend his championship lead whilst matching the incredible feat set by the legendary German.

The Mercedes driver, who took his first victory at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, was presented with one of Schumacher's helmets by Mick Schumacher in parc ferme to mark the occasion.

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"I don't even know what to say," he said. "When you grow up watching someone and idolise them in terms of the quality of driver they are but what they are continuously able to do year-on-year and week-on-week with their team.

"I remember playing as Michael on a game, Grand Prix 2. Just seeing his dominance for so long, I don't think anyone, especially me, could imagine I would be anywhere near Michael in terms of records so it is an incredible honour. It is going to take some time to get used to.

"As I came into the pit lane, it is only then I realised I had equalled it, I hadn't computed it when I crossed the line. I couldn't have done it without this incredible team, everyone continuing to push behind me and giving it everything to a big thank you."

Hamilton spent the early stages of the race behind team-mate Valtteri Bottas after losing out in a head-to-head battle into turn one.

Although Bottas eventually gifted Hamilton the lead with a lock-up later on, the Briton revealed he was left impressed with his team-mate's racecraft after their lap one tussle.

"We had a good start and got up alongside Valtteri," he explained.

"We got understeer into the corner so I tried to give as much room as possible but then he was in my blind spot so I didn't know where he was after that so I moved as wide to the outside as I could, he came back and did an amazing job.

"I remember coming out of the corner thinking 'good on you man,' that was good. After that, I just had to make sure I held onto him as much as I could. I looked after my tyres pretty well and I could see he was graining his tyres.

"I knew over the next couple of laps it would be time for me to push and then he had the lock-up. It was not an easy race at all. The Red Bull is so fast and Max drive extremely well.

"I think the one place he had a chance was the last restart but I managed to pull a nice gap. You could see the pace at the end so we have a real fight on our hands. I am knackered."

Before you go...

Hamilton chalks up F1 win 91 to equal Schumacher record